Allied Health and Medical Assisting Services at Eagle Gate College-Layton

Eagle Gate College-Layton's medical assisting program manages to deliver above-average starting salaries with notably lower debt than most competitors—an unusual combination in this field. At $32,150 first-year, graduates earn about $5,000 more than the national median and match Utah's state median, while borrowing roughly $2,000 less than typical Utah students and $3,400 below the national average. This puts the debt-to-earnings ratio at a manageable 0.40, meaning graduates owe less than five months of their first-year salary.

The challenge comes after graduation: earnings drop 10% by year four, falling to $29,011. This backward trajectory is concerning and worth understanding before enrolling. Some medical assisting roles plateau quickly or require additional certification to advance, which could explain the decline. Among Utah's 18 medical assisting programs, this one ranks at the 60th percentile—solidly middle-of-the-pack despite its strong national showing (83rd percentile). The top programs in the state, like Davis Technical College, deliver similar first-year outcomes, so families should compare closely.

For students who need to start working quickly and can manage modest debt, the low borrowing requirement is genuinely appealing. Just understand that career advancement may require returning for additional credentials or switching roles, and budget accordingly for those first few years when earnings may actually decrease rather than grow.